FOR THE first time in UK model railways an official World Record attempt recognised by Guinness World Records is being made by Pete Waterman and the Railnuts at Model World LIVE on April 27/28 2024 at the NEC in Birmingham.
Above: Pete Waterman and the Railnuts are attempting an official World Record with Making Tracks to create the Largest Portable Model Railway. Mike Wild.
The newly extended Making Tracks: The Final Frontier 'OO' gauge layout will be entered for the Largest Portable Model Railway record title and, if successful, the 208ft x 14ft layout will be officially recognised by Guinness World Records.
Making Tracks has to meet a number of criteria to qualify as a Guinness World Record including being measured to within 0.001m, being a single scale model, prove that it is portable, be built to a professional standard as well including details of the number of trains, loops, track length, concurrent locomotive movements and all tracks being used. All of this will be judged and adjudicated at Model World LIVE.
The story of this World Record attempt is being captured for a new series of Little Trains and Big Names with Pete Waterman. The first series was the highest rated show on More4 in 2023 and is available to watch on demand on Channel 4.
Making Tracks creator Pete Waterman said: "Extending Making Tracks for Model World LIVE at the NEC has been a huge challenge and the Guinness World Record attempt will be a fantastic achievement by the Railnuts if we are successful. It will be a credit to all the team involved and proves that the model railway hobby is alive and well."
Above: Pete Waterman OBE lays track through the new platforms for Bushey - the third of three stations which will be part of the World Record attempt Making Tracks: The Final Frontier layout for display at Model World LIVE. Mike Wild.
Model World LIVE Exhibition Manager Mike Wild added: "The 152ft long layout at the 2023 Great Electric Train Show was a staggering achievement for Making Tracks which has already had a huge impact on the modelling hobby. We are very proud to be hosting the World Record attempt at Model World LIVE and to be sharing that with the modellers from across the country."
The full layout will model the West Coast Main Line between Hillmorton Junction (Rugby) and Bushey taking in Hillmorton's grade separated junction, Kilsby Tunnel, Blisworth, Milton Keynes Central station, Tring Cutting, Northchurch Tunnel, Watford Tunnel, Watford Junction station, Bushey viaduct, Bushey station and finally Carpender's Park bridge. It will feature a four track main line throughout with the option to pass trains at Milton Keynes Central station.
Above: At the 2023 Great Electric Train Show Making Tracks was displayed as a single 152ft layout joining the first three layouts together. The extended layout for Model World LIVE takes it to 208ft in length, but increases the scenic area by 100ft as it wraps around to the rear at the southern end. Jonathan Newton.
The World Record attempt layout feature 100ft of new scenery on top of the existing Making Tracks 1, 2 and 3 layouts. The new scenes will model Blisworth as well as Watford Tunnel to Carpender's Park bridge with the full layout set to feature three stations in total. It will take a minimum of four operators per circuit to keep trains moving and is set to feature fully working signals which the driver's can follow along the line to recreate the West Coast Main Line in miniature.
Above: Making Tracks: The Final Frontier models the West Coast Main Line in 'OO' gauge featuring highlights between Hillmorton Junction (Rugby) and Bushey to the south of Watford Junction. A Class 92 leads the Caledonian Sleeper through Tring Cutting at the 2023 Great Electric Train Show. Jonathan Newton.
The record attempt layout will be on show throughout the weekend at Model World LIVE which is held in Hall 12 of the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham on April 27/28.
Full event details are available on the Model World LIVE website including discount advance tickets. Book now to witness model railway history in the making.
